DAY 1 ARRIVE IN CANCUN
Welcome to Mexico! Your journey begins with a warm greeting at the airport and a complimentary private transfer to your hotel. Your Tour Director is available at the hotel this afternoon to welcome you and answer questions. Gather this evening at 6:00 p.m. for a Welcome Reception at the hotel.
DAY 2 CANCUN / EK BALAM / VALLADOLID / MERIDA
Head inland and stop at the largely unexcavated Mayan archaeological site of Ek Balam. After an overview of the site and region by an expert guide, continue to the first capital city of the Yucatan Valladolid, for lunch and a leisurely stroll around the central square. After a brief city tour, continue to the colonial city of Merida. (B,L,D)
DAY 3 MERIDA SIGHTSEEING AND AT LEISURE
Explore historic Merida, starting with the Paseo de Montejo, modeled after the Champs Elysees in Paris and lined with beautiful colonial mansions. Stop at the Central Plaza to view the Cathedral, the ornate Casa Montejo and the Palacio Nacional known for its collection of murals. Next, visit the Anthropology Museum with its fine Mayan collections. Plus, your Tour Director will reveal a local hidden treasure while you are in Merida. After lunch at a historic hacienda, there is some free time to continue discovering the city on your own. Later, you are invited to the private home of renowned chef David Sterling, who specializes in Yucatecan cuisine, for cocktails and a cooking demonstration. Your Tour Director will have tempting suggestions for dinner tonight. (B,L)
DAY 4 MERIDA / CELESTUN / CAMPECHE
Travel to Celestun, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Here, you will sail through the calm waters of the vast wetlands complex to view a colony of pink flamingoes. After lunch under the shade of a thatched roof beach restaurant, head to the fortified town of Campeche. Visit the Bulwarks, the Puerta Tierra stone fortress and the historic, pastel colored city center. After dinner, an optional Light & Sound show takes you back to Campeche's colonial past. (B,L,D)
DAY 5 CAMPECHE / EDZNA / UXMAL
This morning, explore the Mayan archaeological site of Edzna. Then head along the Puuc Route, where a traditional lunch awaits: pollo and cochinita pibil, wrapped in banana leaves and slowly cooked underground. After lunch, you are treated to a visit with a local Mayan family. Learn about their daily life and how age-old traditions are still maintained. Then visit the famed Mayan temples of Uxmal, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your expert guide elaborates on the mysterious Mayan culture as you witness the engineering and architectural heights of its people. Later, at the hotel, there is time to relax or take a dip in the pool before dinner, complete with a guitar trio playing traditional Yucatecan music. (B,L,D)
DAY 6 UXMAL / SOTUTA DE PEON / IZAMAL / CHICHEN IZTA
Start the day at the Hacienda Sotuta de Peon living museum. Tour the elegant home and the still active processing plant, learn about the production process of henequen (sisal fiber), and about the colonial era gold of the Yucatan. Then board mule drawn rail carts for a ride through the fields to a beautiful cenote (natural well leading to an underground river). After a traditional hacienda style lunch, continue on to the city of Izamal for a visit to the golden Franciscan monastery. Finally, head for the most famous Mayan archaeological icon and UNESCO World Heritage site Chichen Itza. Relax or cool off in one of the pools at your hotel before dinner, and perhaps attend the Light & Sound Show at the archaeological site this evening. (B,L,D)
DAY 7 CHICHEN IZTA / COBA / PLAYA DEL CARMEN
Rise early today and take advantage of a private entrance to the archaeological site, allowing you to be among the first to explore Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Under the expertise of your guide, explore this grand archaeological complex. Continue on your journey to Coba, where you will enjoy a lakeside lunch. Visit ancient Coba with its towering temples, some of the highest in Mexico. Coba's site is unique as only a few of the estimated 6,500 structures here have been uncovered. Then head toward Playa del Carmen on the acclaimed Riviera Maya. (B,L,D)
DAY 8 PLAYA DEL CARMEN AT LEISURE
Enjoy a leisurely day at your all-inclusive resort. Relax, swim in the turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean Sea or in the pool and take advantage of complimentary resort activities. Perhaps join the optional visit to the Mayan site of Tulum, perched on a cliff overlooking the dazzling sea, followed by a small boat excursion through the mangroves of Sian Ka'an or stroll down Playa del Carmen's Quinta Avenida, a charming pedestrian walkway lined with shops, bars and restaurants. This evening, celebrate your Yucatan adventure at a Farewell Dinner. (B,L,D)
DAY 9 PLAYA DEL CARMEN / DEPART CANCUN
This morning is at leisure until the drive back to Cancun where your tour ends. A complimentary transfer is provided to Cancun's International Airport and the Brendan hotel in Cancun for those who wish to extend their stay. Please do not schedule any flights before 3:00 p.m. (B) |
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